Compulsory maths qualification for teachers urged

Some 80pc of engineers in Ireland believe that a compulsory qualification for maths teachers would significantly boost the country’s second-level maths performance.

The survey by MRBI carried out for Engineers Ireland for Engineer’s Week this week also found that 76pc of those surveyed believe an increase in the salary of secondary school maths teachers would not improve the results of Leaving Certificate maths students.

John Power, director general, Engineers Ireland, said the research reflected the growing recognition that radical change was needed to the way maths and the physical sciences were taught in schools.

“This insight very much confirms the general view that there needs to be drastic change to help students get to grips with this critical subject, something Engineers Ireland has been saying for awhile.

“It is vital the education framework supports the teaching of maths and the physical sciences, key subjects that form the platform towards a career in engineering,” Power said.